Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment course for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.